IllinoisCoal & Coal MiningHistory & Genealogy

RAINEY / RAMEY
April 23, 191818, Robert Rainey, of Eldorado, driver, married, was killed in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 8 mine. While trying to get on a
moving car he fell and was run over. He leaves a widow.

RANDOLPH
May 30, 198067, Mr. Jerry Randolph, of Carrier Mills, age 38, married, one dependent, was fatally injured by electrical shock at
approximately 2:00 A.M., Friday, May 30, 1980, while in the performance of his duties as Electrician at Peabody Coal Company, Will Scarlet Mine,
Stonefort, Saline County, Illinois.
Jerry Randolph was fatally injured while in the process of changing a 7200 power cable from an old "K" switch box to a new one. Mr. Randolph had failed to
de-energize the power to the switch and apparently came in contact with the power phase while in the box.

RANKIN
September 17, 191415, George Rankin, of Eldorado, miner, single, age 24 years, received injuries from falling slate in the O'Gara Coal
Company's mine No. 10, Eldorado, Saline County, which resulted in his death on September 21, 1914. He leaves a widowed mother.

RAWLINS
July 27, 192126, William P. Rawlins, of Harrisburg, driver, age 23 years, married, was caught between a loaded car and trap door
and injured so badly that he died the next day, in Big Creek Coals Company's No. 3 mine. He leaves a widow.

REED
April 5, 191919, Albert Reed, of Wasson, machine runner, age 32 years, married, came in contact with machine wire and was
electrocuted, in Wasson Coal Company's No. 1 mine, Wasson. He leaves a widow and two children.

September 29, 191718, Vern Reed, of Eldorado, motorman, age 18 years, single, was killed in No. 10 mine, O'Gara Coal Company,
by being run over by motor.

REEDER
August 3126, Herbert Reeder, of Harco, miner, age 28 years, married, was killed in a gas explosion occurred in Harrisburg Colliery
Company's Harco mine. He leaves a widow and three children.
See : Gas Explosion in Harrisburg Colliery Company

March 18, 193539, Theodore Reeder, of Eldorado, loader, aged 28 years, single,
killed by fall of rock in mine No. 1 of the Wasson Coal Co. No dependents.

REESE
September 24, 192832, William Reese, of Harrisburg, timberman, age 60 years, married, and Mike Kovach, of Harco, miner,
age 41 years, married, were killed in Peabody Coal Company's No. 47 mine, by a fall of rock. Reese leaves a widow and one child and Kovach leaves a widow.

March 22, 191414, Jerry Reynolds, of Carrier Mills, miner, aged 35 years, married, died in the hospital in Evansville, Ind., from injuries
received from falling slate at the O'Gara Coal Company's No. 7 mine, Carrier Mills, Saline County. Deceased was loading coal on February 3, when a piece of
slate fell on him crushing him about the back and hips. He leaves a widow.

September 16, 1941 45, John Thomas Reynolds, of Harrisburg, machine operator, aged 33 years, married, died from
injuries received on July 31, 1941, caused by a fall of rock in Bankston Creek Colliery Company's No. 4 mine. He leaves a widow and one child.

October 11, 193034, Lou Reynolds, of Harrisburg, miner, age 47 years, married, died from injuries received the day previous in Peabody
Coal Company's No. 43 mine by a fall of coal. He leaves a widow and three children.

RICHARDSON
October 11, 193539, William Richardson, of Eldorado, motorman, aged 32 years,
married, killed by fall of rock in mine No. 10 of Sahara Coal Co., leaving widow and five children.

RIDLER
January 15, 194751, Oscar Ridler, of Harrisburg, machine runner, age not given married, died from injuries received the
previous day, January 14, 1947, from a fall of slate in Bankston Creek Colliery Company's No. 16 mine. He leaves a widow.

RITSON
September 2, 192126, Thomas Ritson, of Muddy, miner, age not given, married, was suffocated in Harrisburg Colliery Company's
Harco mine. Deceased, at the time, was a member of the rescue team who were exploring that portion of the mine in which the explosion of gas occurred
on the 31st day of August, when, through some disarrangement of his breathing apparatus, he was overcome by afterdamp. He leaves a widow.
See : Gas Explosion in Harrisburg Colliery Company

ROADERVILLE
February 12, 192020, Rokas Roaderville, of Harrisburg, miner, age 52 years, married, was killed by coming in contact with trolley wire
in Saline County Coal Company's No. 3 mine (now Big Creek Coal Co.), Harrisburg. He leaves a widow and three children.

ROBINSON
May 18, 191515, Ed. Robinson, of Carrier Mills, machine runner, married, age 45 years, came to his death by falling coal at the working
face in the Saline County Coal Company's mine No. 2, Ledford, Saline County. The coal that fell had been loosened ahead of the previous day's mining, thus
allowing it to fall when sufficiently mined. He leaves a widow and three children.

RODONIS
July 6, 190910, Gabe Rodonis, of Ledford, loader, aged 35 years, married, employed at the No. 2 mine of the Saline County Coal
Company, Ledford, was killed by falling of coal from the face of his room. No. 2, fifth west south, while he was in the act of snubbing the coal. The room had
been undercut with a chain breast machine and had a dirt slip, which caused the coal to be loosed. About ten tons rolled over on him, crushing him in the chest
and bowels. He was a Russian and leaves a widow and three children in the old country.

ROGERS
January 30, 193741, Jack Rogers, of Muddy, top laborer, aged 17 years, single, fell
into water trap of boiling water at mine No. 12 of the Sahara Coal Co.

June 21, 194448, Lee Roy Rogers, of Marion, loading machine operator, aged 49 years, married, was killed when rock fell
on him in Peabody Coal Company's No. 47 mine. He leaves a widow and two children.

July 15, 194448, Noland Rogers, of Raleigh, mine boss, aged 39 years, single, was killed by drilling into unexploded
shots in Bankston Creek Colliery Company's No. 7 mine. He leaves a widow and three children.

ROPER
December 22, 192832, Thomas Roper, of Carrier Mills, miner, age 49 years, married, was run over and killed by pit-cars in Wasson Coal Company's
No. 2 mine. He leaves a widow and six children.

ROSE
November 20, 194044, James Elbert Rose, of Harrisburg, loading machine helper, age 45
years, married; killed by fall of rock at Mine No. 1 of the Wasson Coal Co., leaving widow and three children.

RUSSELL
November 22, 192731, Jesse Russell, of Carrier Mills, miner, age 24 years, single, was killed in Saline County Coal Corporation's No. 4 mine,
by falling in front of trip and being run over by a car. He leaves his mother and sister dependent.

March 2. 191111, Thomas Russell, of Harrisburg, miner, aged 42 years, married, employed in mine No. 3 of the O'Gara Coal Company,
Harrisburg, was killed. Deceased had been trying to take down some loose draw slate and broke off a part of it. The rest was a little hard to pull down and he
set a prop under it and began to load coal underneath. In a few minutes it fell on him, breaking his back and leg, from which injuries he died in about two hours.
He leaves a widow and six children.

RUTHERFORD
September 26, 19078, Oscar Poland, of Eldorado, shot-firer, aged 22 years, single, and Molad Rutherford, of Eldorado, shot-firer,
aged 40 years, married, both employed at the No. 1 mine of the National Mining Company, Eldorado, Saline County, were suffocated. These men had the fuses
lighted in five rooms; the shots were going off in rapid succession; one of the shots, however, was a dead hole, which caused a windy shot, and an explosion
followed. Death was caused by suffocation. Rutherford leaves a widow.

RYAN
October 15, 192021, Walter Ryan, shotfirer, age 36 years, married, was killed in Harrisburg Colliery Company's Harco mine by gas
explosion. he leaves a widow.

SARGE
October 24, 191920, Charles Sarge, of Harrisburg, miner age 54 years, married, was killed by a fall of coal in Saline County Coal
Company's No. 3 mine (now Big Creek Coal Co.). He leaves a widow.

SARKSNAS
August 13, 192227, Joe Sarksnas, of Harrisburg, loader, age 39 years, single, was killed in Big Creek Coals Inc. No. 3 mine by a fall of rock.

SARUTIS
September 9, 19089. Ben Sarutis, miner, aged 27 years, single, while on his way from his working place to the shaft bottom,
for some unknown reason stopped in an old cross cut through which electric wires were laid, and when found, his right arm was over the No. 5 wire which runs
through cross cut, and he was dead. This cross cut is not a road way, and there was no apparent reason for him entering it. His home was in Harrisburg, Ill.; he
was employed by O'Gara Coal Company No. 4.

SCHROLL
November 28, 196762, Mr. Wayne A. Schroll, of Harrisburg, age 59, married, no dependent children, came to his death by accident in the
operation of an electric coal buggy inside the Sahara No. 5 Mine in Saline County, west of Harrisburg on November 28, 1967.
Mr. Wayne Schroll, Mr. George Butler, and Mr. John Romonasky were sent by the third shift boss to rock dust the 5-6-7-8-9-10-11 and 12 stub rooms off Room
No. 29 12NE, 22NW, ME section. These men had rock dusted beginning with Room No. 5 up to Room No. 8 when Mr. Schroll observed the Joy and a loaded
shuttle car near the face of Room No. 8. He told the other two men that the loaded shuttle car would be in their way in rock dusting the room and that he would
move it over to Room No. 7. Mr. Butler and Mr. Romonasky waited about 50 feet away at the mouth of this room. These two men heard him running the shuttle
car, then Mr. Butler noticed it come back into Room No. 8 and head out toward the mouth. Mr. Schroll was not on the shuttle car. The men investigated and found
Mr. Schroll face down approximately three feet behind the loaded shuttle car that he had just moved. There were no eyewitnesses to the actual accident.

SEWELL
July 18, 192126, Bert Sewell, of Harrisburg, electrician helper, age 21 years, married, was thrown off cage and fell to bottom of shaft
and was instantly killed in Big Creek Coals Company's mine No. 2. He leaves a widow.

SHAFER
April 9, 191818, George Shafer, of Harrisburg, laborer, age 50 years, married, was killed in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 3 mine. A
railroad car had been loaded with rock and run down below the tipple to be dumped. This was a drop bottom car and deceased got a wrench about four feet
long and placed it on dump shaft and was holding it in a vertical position, when another man knocked the catch loose about the center of the car, which allowed
the load to drop with such force that it threw the wrench over, striking him on the head, inflicting injuries from which he died about nine hours later. He leaves a
widow and four children.

SHARP
February 9, 192630, Robert Sharp, of Harrisburg, shot firer, age 34 years, married, was killed by a fall of slate in Wasson Coal Company's
No. 1 mine. He leaves a widow and two children.

SHELTON
October 7, 194347, James Roy Shelton, of Eldorado, timberman helper, aged 34 years, married, was killed by a fall of rock
in Bankston Creek Colliery Company's No. 16 mine. He leaves a widow and two children.

SHEPARD
August 24, 1950 54, Harold E. Shepard, of Johnston City, motorman, aged 30 years, married, died from injuries received two days
earlier, Agust 22, 1950, when he was crushed between motor and pit cars at Peabody Coal Company's No. 47 mine. He leaves a widow and one child.

SHERFIELD
January 30, 192428, Clyde Sherfield, of Harrisburg, driver, age 27 years, single, died from injuries received two days before when
struck by a pit car in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 3 mine. He leaves his mother dependent.

September 1, 192933, Oscar Sherfield, of Harrisburg, miner, age 35 years, married, died from injuries sustained by a fall of coal August 27,
in Wasson Coal Company's No. 1 mine. He leaves a widow and two children.

SHUNEMAN
January 4, 192226, William Shuneman, of Harrisburg, timberman, age 34 years, married, was killed in Harrisburg Colliery
Company's Harco mine by a fall of rock. He leaves a widow.

SIGLER
October 7, 194347, Joseph Arthur Sigler, of Eldorado, timberman, aged 58 years, married, was killed by a fall of rock
in Bankston Creek Colliery Company's No. 16 mine. He leaves a widow and one child.

SIMAITIS
March 30, 192731, Simon Simaitis, of Ledford, miner, age 48, married, was killed in an explosion of gas that occurred in the No. 2
mine of the Saline County Coal Corporation. He leaves a widow and three children.

SIMPSON
May 15, 19023, Sam Simpson, of Ledford, miner, age 42, married, leaves a widow and two children, was instantly killed by a fall of slate
in the mine of the Davenport Coal Co., at Ledford, Saline county. Deceased had fired a blast which had knocked all the timbers out of place at the face of his
room; instead of waiting until the smoke had cleared away, he returned to fire a second blast; when within a few feet of the face, a piece of slate 6 feet wide and
10 feet long and 8 inches thick fell with the result as stated.

SISK
October 5, 191718, Clarence Sisk, of Eldorado, miner, age 28 years, died from injuries received September 28 in No. 3 mine of Dering
Mines Company, by a fall of slate. He leaves a widow.

SMIDT / SCHMIDT
May 7. 191515, Julius Smidt, of Dorrisville, miner, single, age 40 years, died from injuries received on April 26, 1915. Injuries were
caused by falling slate near the working face in the O'Gara Coal Company's mine No. 9, Dorrisville, Saline County.

November 27, 191819, Frank Smith, of Wasson, miner, age 34 years, married, was killed in Wasson Coal Company's No. 1 mine, Wasson.
Deceased was found dead near entry to an old room, across which machine wires had been strung, and the supposition is that he walked into them and was
electrocuted. He leaves a widow and three children.

November 27, 191718, Herbert Smith, of Wasson, miner, age 35 years, married, was killed by falling slate in Wasson Coal Company's
No. 1 mine. There were 14 props and a number of caps in the place which had not been set up, and, by placing a few of them, he could have saved his life.
He leaves a widow.

October 18, 194448, Irl R. Smith, of Galatia, shot firer, aged 51 years, married, was killed when rock fell on him in
Peabody Coal Company's No. 47 mine. He leaves a widow.

August 31, 192126, John Smith, of Eldorado, trackman, age 47 years, married, was killed in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 11 mine
by falling rock. He leaves a widow and five children.

November 3, 19067, Joseph Smith, of Gaskins City, miner, aged 60 years, married, employed at Joe Ingram's mine, one mile south of
Harrisburg, was killed instantly by a piece of slate 7 by 15 by 16 feet falling on him. He leaves a widow and one grown son.

SPANNER
August 1, 194650, Mark Spanner, of Eldorado, timberman, aged 57 years, married, was killed by a fall of rock
in Dering Coal Company's No. 2 mine. He leaves a widow.

SPEARS
November 16, 191011, Ulysses S. Spears, of Carrier Mills, top boss, aged 42 years, married, employed at mine No. 2 of the Saline County
Coal Company, Carrier Mills, was crushed between two railroad cars. Deceased was standing between a partly loaded car under the chute and an empty just
above, the bumpers being about eighteen inches apart, when two other cars from above bumped into the standing one, and he was caught between the two
bumpers and instantly killed. He leaves a widow and two children.

STAMPER
September 7, 19078, Denny Stamper, of Eldorado, machine runner, aged 30 years, single, employed at the O'Gara Coal Company's mine
No. 10, Eldorado, Saline County. Deceased was shoveling slack from the machine when the face of the coal fell on him, breaking his back and causing a scalp
wound over his right eye. He died three days afterwards.

STEPHENS
February 24, 192327, Earl Stephens, of Harrisburg, trip rider, age 22 years, married, was killed
by being crushed between the corner of pillar and side of car in the Big Creek Coals Inc. mine No. 4. He leaves a widow and two children.

STEVENS
May 9, 191212, Henry Stevens, of Eldorado, laborer, aged 33 years, married, was killed while coupling railroad cars at the Harrisburg
Southern Coal Co.'s mine, Grayson, Saline County. An empty car stood about 50 feet below the tipple, when a loaded car was turned loose, which struck the
empty one but failed to couple. The deceased stepped between the two cars to adjust the coupling lever, and, just as he stepped back, the cars came together
and caught him between the couplings, crushing him so that he died about one hour and twenty minutes later. He leaves a widow.

STEWART / STEWARD
August 3126, David Stewart, of Harrisburg, miner, age 42 years, married, was killed in a gas explosion occurred in Harrisburg
Colliery Company's Harco mine. He leaves a widow and six children;
See : Gas Explosion in Harrisburg Colliery Company

STEWART
October 23, 19089, Guy Stewart, of Eldorado, driver, aged 23 years, married, employed by the O'Gara Coal Company's mine No. 10,
Eldorado, Saline County, was working at night and came to the bottom and told the night boss he wanted to go up; the night boss gave the signal and got return
signal; Stewart got on the cage and the boss rang it away. The engineer started the steam on the throttle and the throttle burst; the engineer lost control of the
engine, and Stewart was carried to the top and dumped, his left leg broken and badly cut; he died later in hospital. He leaves a widow.

June 2, 191111, Jake Stewart, of Harrisburg, driver, aged 24 years, single, employed at No. 9 mine, O'Gara Coal Company, Harrisburg,
was killed by his head being crushed between two pit cars. He was stooping over attempting to couple the cars which he had just brought to the parting, when
another driver brought in a two car trip, bumping them into the ones deceased was coupling, killing him instantly.

STONE
November 15, 193236, Horace Stone, of Harrisburg, miner, age 44 years, married, was
killed in O'Gara's No. 1 mine by a fall of slate. He leaves a widow.

STRANGE
December 28, 194145, William Strange, of Harco, electrician, aged 46 years, married, was killed in a gas explosion in Peabody
Coal Company Harco Mine No. 47. He leaves a widow and one child.
See : Gas Explosion in Peabody Coal Company's Mine No. 47

STRICKLIN
November 28, 194549, Dennis F. Stricklin, of Harrisburg, driller, aged 49 years, married, was was killed by a rock fall in
Peabody Coal Company's No. 47 mine. He leaves a widow.

August 30, 193034, Lewis Stricklin, of Harrisburg, laborer, age 33 years, married, was killed by railroad car, at Peabody Coal
Company's No. 47 mine. He leaves a widow.

January 20, 191111, 0. A. Stricklin, of Dorrisville, carpenter, aged 36 years, married, was killed at mine No. 1 of the O'Gara Coal Company,
Harrisburg. Deceased was building a drag from the tipple to the boiler room and had five bents up and braced. In prying off one of the braces to plumb the bent it fell,
killing him. He leaves a widow and one child.

STRINGER
October 23, 191112, Wm. K. Stringer, of Harrisburg, miner, aged 22 years, married, was killed by an explosion at O'Gara Coal
Company's mine No. 9, Harrisburg, Saline County. He leaves a widow and two children.
See : Explosion

SULLIVAN
September 26, 191819, William Clark, of Eldorado, timberman, age 37 years, married, and Ernest Sullivan, of Eldorado, miner, age
28 years, married, were killed in Saline County Coal Company's No. 6 mine, Grayson. They were setting some timbers and a fall of slate caught them, killing
Clark instantly; Sullivan lived a few hours. Each man leaves a widow and two children.

SUMMERS
September 16, 194751, E. H. Summers, of Eldorado, machine helper, aged 63 years, married, died from injuries received
the previous day, September 15, 1947, when he was hit by a cross bar in Dering Coal Company's No. 2 mine. He leaves a widow.

SUVER
May 24, 192630, Uriel Suver, of Harrisburg, machine runner, age 33 years, married, came in contact with trolley wire and was electrocuted,
in Harrisburg Coal Mining Company's No. 1 mine. He leaves a widow and three children.

SWAFFORD
December 30, 196661, Mr. James Edward Swafford, of Carrier Mills, age 45, married, three dependent children, came to his death as
a result of a rock fall at the Sahara Coal Co., Inc. #16 located at Harrisburg, Illinois. Mr. Swafford was employed as a Laborer and had had 2½ years
experience at this mine.
The accident occurred on December 30, 1966 at 3:00 a.m. Mr. James Swafford and Ralph Chambers were recovering roof bolts in No. 75 Room 9th East
Main North. They had recovered about 50 roof bolts, when the rock fell without warning, pulling out 12 roof bolts at inside end of fall and catching Mr. Swafford
under the center of rock about 10 ft. from the inside end. He was killed instantly.
The fall of rock was a large V shaped slip about 9 ft. to 10 ft. thick in center, shearing off at both ribs. The fall was 110 ft. long and 21 ft. wide. The coal in this
room was 9 ft. thick.

SYERS
September 6, 194044, Casper Syers, of Equality, track layer, age 57 years, married;
killed by fall of rock at Mine No. 2 of the Dering Coal Co., leaving widow.

T

TABORN
August 15, 191617, Henry Taborn, of Carrier Mills, motorman, age 24 years, married, employed in Wasson Coal Company's No. 2 mine.
Carriers Mills, Saline County, while pushing a car loaded with iron pipes around a curve with his motor one of the pipes came in contact with the trolley wire and
he was electrocuted. He leaves a widow and two children.

TANNER
February 9, 194044, George Tanner, of Carrier Mills, conveyor belt attendant, age 39 years,
married ; caught in driving pulley of conveyor at Mine No. 6 of the Blue Bird Coal Co., leaving widow and one child.

October 26, 193943, J. C. Tanner, of Stonefort, driller, aged 26 years, married, killed by
fall of rock in mine A of the Wasson Coal Co., leaving wife and one child.

TAPP
July 23, 194650, Charles F. Tapp, of Harrisburg, motorman, aged 46 years, married died from injuries receivied on July
22, 1946, in a haulage accident in Peabody Coal Company's No. 47 mine.

TARRANT
June 28, 193034, Floyd Tarrant, of Carrier Mills, miner, age 26 years, married, was killed in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 12 mine, by a
fall of rock. He leaves a widow and one child.

TAVENDER
March 8, 192327, Ezra Tavender, of Harrisburg, driver, age 35 years, married, was killed in Big Creek Coals Inc. No. 2 mine. Deceased
was driving and in trying to get on moving car slipped and fell in front of it and was run over. He leaves a widow and one child.

November 6, 19089, Ziek Tavender, of Harrisburg, laborer, aged 50 years, widower, was killed at the O'Gara Coal Company's mine No. 3
at Harrisburg, Saline County. He was run over by the railroad cars at the mine; the engine came in with four cars and hit him crushing both legs and skull; he
leaves three children.

TAYLOR
June 26, 19077, Charles Taylor, of Shelbyville, Ind., machine runner, aged 26 years, single, employed at the O'Gara Coal Company No. 3
mine at Harrisburg, was engaged in shoveling cuttings from the machine, when a piece of slate 15 by 12 inches, three feet thick fell, crushing him. He died about
four hours after the accident.

June 29, 191818, Robert Kennedy, of Eldorado, miner, age 44 years, married, and William Taylor, of Eldorado, miner, age 37 years,
married, and Loren Whitler, of Fordville, KY., miner, age 34 years, married, were suffocated in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 1 mine. These men had opened
up a sealed section of the mine and were returning when they were overcome by not having a sufficient amount of oxygen in their helmets. Kennedy leaves a
widow and seven children, Taylor leaves a widow and two children, and Whitler a widow and five children.

THOMPSON
July 2, 191718, Emery Thompson, of Carrier Mills, laborer, age 34 years, married, was killed in Harrisburg Saline Collieries Company's
mine. Deceased was arranging the coupler on front end of a railroad flat car which was being loaded under the tipple. Two other cars were being run down the
grade and when about 100 feet from the tipple the brake chain broke, allowing them to run away, striking the car where deceased was standing, which
knocked him down and ran over him. He leaves a widow and three children.

November 28, 19089, W. M. Thompson, driver, aged 21 years, single, was killed in the O'Gara Coal Company's No. 1 mine, Harrisburg,
Saline County. He was going in on front end of car when a loaded car got loose at the head of the entry and ran into him, crushing him about the hips,
causing his death on December 1, 1908. He was single and lived at Harrisburg.

THORNBERY
July 2, 19045, James Thornbery, of Ledford, miner, aged 24 years, single was killed by falling coal and slate.

TODROFF
June 17, 194347, Nick Todroff, of Eldorado, driller, aged 45 years, died from burns received the previous day, June 16, 1943,
in Dering Coal Company's No. 2 mine. He leaves a widow and one child.

TOLBERT
April 8, 194044, Hobart Tolbert, of Harrisburg, loading machine helper, age 43 years, married; killed by
fall of rock at Mine No. 1 of the Wasson Coal Co., leaving widow and one child.

December 4, 193943, Lon Tolbert, of Harrisburg, loader, aged 57 years, married, killed by
fall of rock in mine operated by Virgil Anderson, leaving wife and one child.

TOLLAN
October 1, 194448, Charles Tollan, of Eldorado, timberman helper, aged 58 years, married, died from injuries received on
the previous day, September 30, 1944, when he rock fell on him in Dering Coal Company's No. 2 mine. He leaves a widow.

TOTH
March 30, 192731, Joseph Toth, of Ledford, miner, age 44, married, was killed in an explosion of gas that occurred in the No. 2 mine
of the Saline County Coal Corporation. He leaves a widow.

TRAIL / FRAIL
June 28, 1918, Orlando Trail, of Eldorado, driver, age 22 years, married, was killed in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 8 mine. Deceased was found dead
under a loaded car. It is supposed the tail chain came loose, causing the driver to fall and allowing the car to run onto him. He leaves a widow.

TUCKER
September 12, 191718, George Tucker, of Eldorado, miner, age 56 years, married, was killed in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 10 mine, by
falling slate while loading coal in his room. He leaves a widow and six children.

February 17, 193135, John R. Tucker, of Eldorado, age 37 years, married, was killed in
Wasson Coal Company's No. 1 mine, by falling coal. He leaves a widow and two children.

TURNER
June 6, 192428, Harrison Turner, of Harrisburg, blacksmith, age 44 years, married, was killed in Wasson Coal Company's No. 1
mine. Deceased, with other employees, was repairing curbing in main shaft and in trying to break a rock with a sledge he struck a two-by-four that held
the scaffold and knocked it out, letting him fall to the bottom of the shaft. He leaves a widow and one child.

TYREE
November 19, 195658, Lee M. Tyree, of Eldorado, motorman and buggy driver, aged 59 years, married,
was killed when he was caught between buggy and rib or roof in Sahara Coal Company, Inc.'s No. 16 mine. He leaves a widow.

U

USELTON
October 6, 19089, Ed. Uselton, of Grayson, miner, aged 35 years, married, was killed by powder explosion occurred at the Harrisburg and
Southern Coal Company's mine, Grayson, Saline County. He leaves a wife and five children.
See : Powder Explosion

VANGAMPLER
March 13, 194852, John Vangampler of Eldorado, machine helper, aged 48 years, married, was killed by a roof fall in
Bankston Creek Colleries No. 7 mine. He leaves a widow and two children.

VAUGHN
August 3126, Herschel Vaughn, of Harrisburg, miner, age 26 years, married, was killed in a gas explosion occurred in Harrisburg
Colliery Company's Harco mine. He leaves a widow and two children.
See : Gas Explosion in Harrisburg Colliery Company

VEGER
August 31, 19089, Mike Veger, of Harrisburg, miner, aged 26, married, was working in the Wasson Coal Company's mine No. 1,
Harrisburg, Saline County, at his working face when a piece of slate 9 feet long, 5 feet wide and 4 inches thick fell on him and he was killed instantly. He
leaves a wife and two children.

VINNETTIE
February 19, 191313, Alex. Vinnettie, miner, aged 19 years, single, came in contact with accumulated gas, which ignited and resulted
in his death .
See : Gas Explosion

VINSON
March 2, 191818, Earl Vinson, of Equality, laborer, age 23 years, single, died from injuries received August 12, 1917, in Northern Coal
Company's mine (now Saline County Coal Company No. 5). Deceased had gone into a room which had not been carefully examined to begin work when coal
fell, breaking his back.

November 4, 191920, Ray Vinson, of Wasson, driver, age 24 years, married, died from injuries received October 17, in Wasson
Coal Company's No. 1 mine, Wasson. Deceased was riding on end of car; he looked back and his head struck the roof; he was dragged
back between the loaded car and roof. He leaves a widow and one child.

VINYARD
October 21, 192731, Charles Vinyard, of Eldorado, miner, age 22 years, married, was caught in a mining machine and killed, in J. K. Dering Coal
Company's mine. He leaves a widow and one child.

March 23, 192630, Harry Vinyard, of Harrisburg, motorman, age 25 years, married, died from injuries received November 30, 1925, in
Saline County Coal Corporation's No. 7 mine, when he was caught between two motors. He leaves a widow.

December 29, 192933, Wesley Vinyard, of Carrier Mills, laborer, age 37 years, died from injuries received two days previous, in Wasson
Coal Company's No. 2 mine, by a fall of roof. He leaves a widow and two children.

VINSON
February 24, 194953, Stanley Vinson, of Harrisburg, air man, aged 46 years, married, was killed by a fall of rock in
Peabody Coal Company's No. 47 mine. He leaves a widow and one child.

W

WAGNER
February 26, 19088, Toney Wagner, of Carriers Mills, miner, aged 60 years, single, employed at Travelstead local mine, situated four miles
northwest of Carriers Mills, Saline County, was killed instantly. Wagner and Travelstead, the operator, had been working together in the mine the day of the
accident until about 4:00 o'clock p. m., when they both started home. Wagner, after going part of the way, turned back and went into the mine, and started to mine
off a standing shot; when the coal came away it caught him and crushed him to death.

WALKER
September 16, 191617, Dennis Walker, of Harrisburg, miner, age 36 years, married, died from injuries received one week earlier by being
caught under falling coal in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 9 mine, Dorrisville, Saline County. He leaves a widow and three children.

September 28, 194448, Fred Walker, of Eldorado, Joy operator, aged 55 years, married, died from injuries received on
the previous day, September 27, 1944, when he rock fell on him in Dering Coal Company's No. 2 mine. He leaves a widow.

June 25, 194852, Murray Walker, of Harrisburg, loading machine operator, aged 61 years, married, died from injuries
received on June 21, 1948, from a fall of draw slate in Blue Bird Coal Company's No. 6 mine. He leaves a widow.

WALLER
January 4, 191313, J. R. Waller, of Grayson, miner, aged 42 years, single, employed at Big Creek Coal Company's Mine, Grayson, Saline
County, was killed by falling rock. He leaves four children dependent upon him.

WALTERS
October 23, 191920, Antoni Walters, of Harrisburg, miner, age 41 years, married, was killed by a fall of rock in Harrisburg
Colliery Company's mine, Harco. He leaves a widow and two children.

December 7, 19056, William Walters, of Harrisburg, shot firer. aged 35 years, single, employed at the O'Gara Coal Co. No. 3. Harrisburg,
Saline county, was shooting a hole in the face of the second south entry on the east side. The hole was drilled in on the dead, to the extent of 51/2 feet, which
caused a blown outshot. Death was caused by suffocation.

WASHAM
September 11, 191920, Leonard Washam, of Harrisburg, miner, age 39 years, married, and Herman Ladd, of Harrisburg, miner, age
42 years, married, were killed by a fall of coal in Saline Gas Coal Company's mine, Harrisburg. Washam leaves a widow and three children and Ladd a widow
and two children.

WATSON
May 2, 193135, Richard Watson, of Harrisburg, miner, age 45 years, single, was killed by
a fall of rock in Peabody Coal Company's mine No. 47.

WEBB
November 23, 194852, Albert Webb, of Harrisburg, foreman, aged 47 years, married, was killed
by a fall of rock in Peabody Coal Company's No. 47 mine. He leaves a widow and one child.

WEBBER
January 12, 194448, Charles Webber, of Galatia, trip rider, aged 29 years, married, was killed when he was ran over by
cars in Dering Coal Company's No. 2 mine. He leaves a widow and three children.

WHITLER
June 29, 191818, Robert Kennedy, of Eldorado, miner, age 44 years, married, and William Taylor, of Eldorado, miner, age 37 years, married,
and Loren Whitler, of Fordville, KY., miner, age 34 years, married, were suffocated in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 1 mine. These men had opened
up a sealed section of the mine and were returning when they were overcome by not having a sufficient amount of oxygen in their helmets. Kennedy leaves a
widow and seven children, Taylor leaves a widow and two children, and Whitler a widow and five children.

WILEY
March 19, 194347, Marion Wiley, of Harrisburg, mine boss, aged 54 years, married, was killed when he was caught
between a loader and rib in Bankston Creek Colliery Company's No. 4 mine. He leaves a widow.

WILHEIM
October 27, 191011, Michael Wilheim, of Grayson, miner, aged 28 years, single, lost his life in the mine of the Harrisburg Southern Coal
Company at Grayson. Deceased was working in room No. 10, second W. N., and had ordered props for his place the night before, but they were not delivered.
The mine examiner so reported to the mine manager and personally told deceased to stay out of his place as the roof was bad. The mine manager also warned
him to stay out until props were sent in. He disregarded these orders and commenced to load a car with coal. In just a few minutes the slate gave way and he
was buried beneath it.

WILLIAMS
December 3, 191819, Charles Williams, of Marion, miner, age 47 years, married, was killed by falling slate in Galatia Colliery Company's
mine No. 5, Galatia. Deceased had neglected to make the roof secure, although there was a number of available props and caps he could have used. He leaves
a widow and three children.

May 22, 194751, Charles Williams, of Eldorado, timberman, aged 44 years, married, was killed by electricity in Dering
Coal Company's No. 2 mine. He leaves a widow and one child.

September 10, 197966, Mr. Charles R. Williams, of Eldorado, age 40, married, two dependents, was fatally injured by a roof fall at
approximately 9:45 P.M., Monday, September 10, 1979, while in the performance of his duties as Miner Operator at Sahara Coal Company, Mine No. 20,
Harrisburg, Saline County, Illinois.
Charles R. Williams along with Ralph Roberts, continuous miner operator, and Greg Odom, shuttle car operator, were loading coal in the 2N-1NE-8ME.
The last shuttle car had just been loaded and Greg Odom was changing seats to pull the load to the belt when the roof fall occurred. The fall measured 52'
long by 13' wide and was 5' to 6' thick in the center and feathered to 2' thick at the edge. The fall completely covered the continuous miner and the shuttle
car. Ralph Roberts and Greg Odom were protected by the canopies. At the time of the fall, Charles Williams was standing beside this shuttle car
approximately 6 feet from the right rib and was covered by the roof fall. Rescue operations began shortly after the fall. Charles Williams was removed
from under the roof fall at approximately 12:00 A.M. and was transported to the surface where the Saline County Coroner pronounced him dead.

August 14, 191819, George Williams, of Eldorado, foreman, age 32 years, married, was killed by an explosion of gas in O'Gara Coal
Company's No. 10 mine, Eldorado. He leaves a widow and one child.

October 12, 193943, William J. Williams, of Carrier Mills, road cleaner, aged 26 years, married,
crushed by cars in mine No. 47 of the Peabody Coal Co., leaving wife and two children.

WILLIS
January 28, 19045, Samuel Willis, sinker, aged 31 years, widower, was instantly killed by falling out of a sinking bucket to the bottom of the
shaft, a distance of about 40 feet, at the mine of the Harrisburg-Big Muddy Coal Co., Harrisburg. Saline County. Willis had been timbering at the bottom of the
shaft, when through with his work he got into the bucket to take a step ladder to the surface. He told one of the men working with him to give one bell instead of
three bells, which is the proper signal to hoist to the top. The engineer, responding to the signal, understood that no one was coming up, started the engine at a
good rate of speed, when at the distance stated deceased fell out of the bucket.

July 21, 193135, Rolley Wilson, of Eldorado, miner, age 33 years, married, was killed in
Franklin County Coal Company's No. 10 mine by a fall of rock. He leaves a widow and one child.

December 9, 19045, Weed Wilson, of Eldorado, miner, aged 30 years, married, was killed as a result of a blownout
shot in the mine of the Eldorado Coal Company, Eldorado, Saline County. He leaves a widow and two children.
See : Blown-Out Shot

WILTMUTH
October 2, 191112, Paul Wiltmuth, of Harrisburg, track man, aged 21 years, single, employed at the Wasson Coal Co.'s mine, Wasson,
Saline County, was killed by a trip of loaded cars which were started down grade from the force of a gas explosion. Deceased was ordered to help some track
layers who were working in a cut-off between the first and second northwest entries. Instead of stopping at the cutoff he continued on down the entry and had gone
but a short distance when his open light ignited a body of gas. He either ran back, or was blown back, to a point where three cars, which had been started down
grade by the force of the explosion, ran over and killed him.

WISART
March 10, 191111, John Wistart, of Rend, miner, aged 28 years, single, employed by the W. P. Rend Collieries Company, was killed in a
peculiar manner. He was working in room No. 1, fourth southwest. Stooping over to clean some sulphur out of the coal a small piece of coal fell from the face,
striking him on the head. He staggered back, stumbled, and sat down hard on his pick, which was leaning with the point up against a piece of coal. The pick
entered the rectum causing injuries from which he died in about three and a half hours.

WOMAC
October 8, 192529, William Womac, of Muddy, miner, age 35 years, married, employed in O'Gara Coal Company's No. 1 mine, was taking
down loose coal when coal fell killing him instantly. He leaves a widow and five children.

WOODRUFF
June 9, 194852, Thomas Woodruff of Harrisburg, machine operator, aged 47 years, married, died from injuries received
on June 7, 1948, by a fall of rock in Bankston Creek Colleries No. 5 mine. He leaves a widow and two children.

July 20, 195155, Wm. M. Woodruff, of Harrisburg, face boss, aged 55 years, married, died from injuries received on
July 12, 1951, when he was crushed between car and timber at Sahara Coal Company, Inc's No. 5 mine. He leaves a widow.

WRIGHT
February 14, 192121, Henry Wright, laborer, age 41 years, married, was killed in No. 8 mine, O'Gara Coal Company, by an
explosion of gas. He leaves a widow.

Y

YARBOUGH
December 14, 19078, Noah Yarbough, of Ledford, miner, aged 51 years, single, employed at the O'Gara Coal Company's mine No. 14,
Ledford, Saline County, was killed while loading a car at the face of his room by falling slate. The slate that fell was about 4 by 16 feet and 2 inches thick; his
neck was broken.

YOUNGER
November 21, 19089, Willis Younger, of Eldorado, top laborer, aged 43 years, married, employed in the O'Gara Coal Company's No. 10
mine, Eldorado, Saline County, was standing on a loaded railroad car when an empty car running away, caused by chain not working right, struck him, hurting
his head, hips and bowels, causing his death in about two hours after the accident. He leaves a wife and three children.

YOURZAYTIS
March 23, 191111, Martin Yourzaytis, of Harrisburg, miner, aged 48 years, single, was killed by a fall of draw slate in O'Gara Coal Company's
mine No. 4, Harrisburg. Deceased was warned by the mine examiner to either take this slate down or prop it, and he promised to do so, but failed, with the result
as stated.